The fouta (also spelled futa) is a piece of thin patterned cotton or linen fabric of Yemeni origin used in many Mediterranean countries and Yemen. Among other uses, they were worn, by both men and women, wrapped around the body while at the public baths in 19th-century Syria. In Algeria, conservative women wore the fouta draped over their sarouel garment. Similarly, in some parts of southern Saudi Arabia, men would wear the fouta as a loincloth beneath their thawb robes, or just by itself while relaxing at home. Foutas are widely used today in the occidental world as Turkish bath towels (hammam towels) or even beach towels. It is also used as headwear in Somalia some examples could be the Somali aristocracy, Dubats and the general Somali male population who wear it similar to a turban. See also Peshtamal What is a Peshtemal towel? References Arab culture Clothing Arabic clothing Shawls and wraps Tunisian clothing Saudi Arabian clothing Syrian clothing Algerian clothing Yemeni clothing